Security in the Democratic Republic of Congo: persistent challenges
In his opening speech to the ordinary session of Parliament, Speaker of the Upper House, Senator Modeste Bahati, said the security situation in the country was relatively calm. However, he admitted that the eastern part of the country, notably Ituri, North and South Kivu, was facing an alarming security and humanitarian crisis caused by the activism of local and foreign armed groups.
He also highlighted the growing insecurity in the provinces of Maï-Ndombe and Kwango, where the “Mobondo” militia group is operating, causing disorder in the territory of Kwamouth and certain localities in the town of Kenge. Armed groups such as the M23, the ADF-MALU, the Zaires and the CODECO are also responsible for intercommunity violence, massacres, kidnappings, rapes, looting, endangering the population and causing massive displacement of residents. .
The president of the House of Elders also expressed his concern about the continuation of urban banditry, including the Kuluna phenomena, kidnappings and other abuses in the country’s cities. However, he expressed some optimism about the change that seems to be looming with the arrival of the new commander of the National Police.
He called on the government to redouble its efforts to eradicate these scourges which compromise stability and could compromise the holding of the legislative elections scheduled for December.
It is obvious that the security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains a major challenge. Despite the efforts made, armed groups continue to sow terror and intercommunal violence persists. It is crucial that the government steps up its actions to ensure the safety of the population and allow free and fair elections to be held.
Citizens are impatiently awaiting an improvement in the security situation, which is necessary to ensure sustainable development and political stability in the country. Let us hope that the actions undertaken by the new commander of the National Police will bear fruit and that peace will eventually be restored throughout the national territory.
Source(s):
– “The security situation in the country is relatively calm”, Fatshimetrie.org, September 15, 2023,
[article link](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/09/15/la-situation-securitaire-du-pays-est-relativement-calme-selon-le-senateur-bahati/)